adhd symptoms for women I Am Psychiatry With ADD - Symptoms and Diagnosis
For women with ADD the daily challenges endure throughout adulthood. Women with ADD might struggle to meet their family's needs regardless of whether they are a bit distracted at school or struggle to complete household chores. The symptoms of ADD in women are different and opposite from those seen in men. This can make diagnosing and treating difficult.
Signs and symptoms
Women suffering from ADD may have difficulty to maintain a job or manage household chores, especially during times of hormonal changes like puberty, PMS, and perimenopausal. Depression, though not a sign of ADD, frequently coexists with the disorder and is often incorrectly diagnosed by doctors looking for signs more typical of boys. Women with the hyperactive/impulsive subtype of ADD are impatient visibly or internally, jump into activities without thinking and speak and act impulsively. Minor irritations like standing in line or waiting for the phone cause them to fall into disorientation. They also struggle with managing their time, forgetfulness and trouble focusing on tasks. They are often fidgety and have trouble sleeping. They could be susceptible to anxiety and depression, which are often misdiagnosed as bipolar disorder.
Diagnosis
The symptoms of women are less widely known than men's, making it difficult to diagnose. Doctors tend to concentrate on a set of symptoms that are more common in boys, but overlook the subtleties related to the symptoms of ADD in girls. This is particularly true during puberty, menopause or perimenopausal, as well as PMS when estrogen levels drop. Depression can also be a co-occurring condition with ADD in a large number of women and requires treatment. You can better understand your symptoms and the nature of the disorder by reading a few books about ADHD/ADD before visiting a doctor. You will be more confident and comfortable during the process of diagnosing.